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 In November 2014, a Steering Committee met for two
days in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to finalize recommendations
developed over a period of months. There, the group agreed on a
proposed new organizational structure, to be called “Route 66: The
Road Ahead Initiative” that includes plans for a representative
elected board, and working groups/committees that will promote
tourism, preservation, Route 66 Associations (advocacy), economic
development, and education. The goal is a fresh, inclusive approach
for Route 66 that represents all stakeholders — everyone with
dedication and passion for the Road.
The Steering Committee has representatives of the tourism industry,
small business, economic development, government, departments of
transportation, education, economic development, Route 66
Associations (including the Tulsa-based Route 66 Alliance and
National Historic Route 66 Federation). The Steering Committee has
chosen Bill Thomas, of Atlanta, Illinois as its Chairman and
spokesperson to speak on behalf of the committee and communicate
with stakeholders moving forward.
“Our Steering Committee is excited to represent the entirety of
Route 66 as we work together to achieve the mission we have set for
ourselves,” noted Thomas. “We are committed to nothing less than
reviving and renewing Route 66, and I feel privileged to be part of
this effort.”
 Immediate priorities identified for the upcoming year include a
period of public consultation and review of the proposed new
organization and the development of working committees; applying for
National Treasure status for Route 66 through the National Trust for
Historic Preservation; and exploring a permanent federal designation
for Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. These efforts would
continue to be coordinated by the Steering Committee until the
eventual formal launch of the new organization.
The agreed Mission, Strategic Outcomes and Key Goals of the Route
66: The Road Ahead Initiative, which came out of a long consultation
period and were further refined based on public feedback, are
attached to this release. These have been endorsed by all of the
Steering Committee’s members, who are fully united behind working
with all state and private associations, stakeholders,
organizations, businesses and government to help achieve these
goals. The National Park Service is an important partner in the Road
Ahead Initiative.
“We’re excited to be a part of the Road Ahead,” says Aaron Mahr,
National Park Service Superintendent of the National Trails Office
in New Mexico, which oversees the Route 66 Corridor Preservation
Program. “We share a common goal to create a framework for
collaboration that captures the passion and dedication of so many
diverse people, organizations, and other entities across the entire
Road and around the world. Transparency and inclusion of diverse
interests in the process are the key elements to the success of the
Road Ahead, and we’re excited to see that happening.”
The Steering Committee will provide additional updates on strategies
for stakeholder engagement and moving forward in the upcoming weeks.
In the short term, the Committee will concentrate on launching key
working groups, working on behalf of the stakeholders to help
coordinate and leverage existing efforts along Route 66. At the same
time, the committee is committed to the longer-term development of a
truly democratic, effective national organization that fully
represents stakeholder’s interests and needs for the future.
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The members of the Steering Committee, who include:
- David Bricker, Deputy District Director, California
Department of Transportation, San Bernardino, CA
- John Conoboy, National Park Service (retired), Albuquerque,
NM
- David Dunaway, Professor, University of New
Mexico
Facilitator, Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration
Albuquerque, NM
- Sharlene Fouser, Executive Director, Arizona Route 66 All
American Road/Rte 66 Assoc.
- Melvena Heisch, Deputy SHPO, Oklahoma State Historic
Preservation Office, Oklahoma City, OK
- Jim Hinckley Author, Jim Hinckley’s America, Kingman, AZ
- Bill Kelly, Executive Director, Illinois Route 66 Scenic
Byway, Springfield, IL
- David Knudson, Executive Director, National Historic Route
66 Federation, Lake Arrowhead, CA
- Kevin Mueller, Owner, Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM
- Tommy Pike, President, The Route 66 Association of Missouri,
Springfield, MO
- Dan Rice, Owner, 66 to Cali, Inc.
Executive Director
Designate, Route 66 Alliance, Santa Monica, CA
- Bob Russell, Mayor, City of Pontiac Pontiac, IL
- Katie Steele Danner, Director, Missouri State Tourism
Office
Board member, Mississippi Parkway Commission Jefferson
City, MO
- Bill Thomas, Community organizer, Atlanta, IL
- Amy Webb, Field Director, National Trust for Historic
Preservation Denver, CO
- Rich Williams, Director, New Mexico Main Street Program
Santa Fe, NM
- David Zimmerman, Historic Preservation Specialist, Arizona
Department of Transportation Phoenix, AZ
wish to communicate their consensus in support of the
Mission, Strategic Outcomes, and Key Goals noted on the
attached. The Road Ahead is indeed promising, all the more so
because of the support of the groups which constitute the
Steering Committee.
For further information on the Route 66 Road Ahead initiative,
contact
Mr. Bill Thomas
114 SW Arch Street [Old Route 66]
Atlanta, Illinois 61723
217-648-5077
wthomas@teleologic.net
[Bill Thomas]
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